Vettel a match for Hamilton and 'right man' for Ferrari

Vettel a match for Hamilton and 'right man' for Ferrari

Originally written by Joas van Wingerden. This version is a translation.

Thursday 10 January 2019 15:20

Mario Andretti has backed Sebastian Vettel as "the right man" to lead Ferrari's fight against Mercedes for Formula 1 honours, despite the German's rocky 2018 tilt. An error-prone Vettel came off second best against Lewis Hamilton last year, but Andretti believes there remains little to choose between the pair.

Although Ferrari delivered a car capable of challenging, and often beating, the Mercedes in 2018, Vettel succumbed under the pressure brought by Hamilton's relentless mid-season run of results.

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As the Brit won five of six races between Germany and Japan, Vettel failed to make the podium in two races, with mistakes at Hockenheim and Suzuka compounded by a failed upgrade package that the Scuderia brought to Singapore.

The heat will be turned up on Vettel yet again in 2019 with the much-hyped Charles Leclerc joining him at Maranello to replace Kimi Raikkonen, who Vettel had got the better of in four years as teammates.

However, Andretti says the four-time world champion remains at the peak of his powers as Ferrari chase a first title in over a decade.

"He is absolutely the right man for Ferrari," Andretti told Sky Italia.

"I remember in his first year with Red Bull, I asked him what were his ambitions for the future and he immediately replied: Drive for Ferrari!

"He is the right driver for the job. I think it's hard to say who between Hamilton and Vettel is better because they drive different cars, but they're both good guys."

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